Staff writer
Marion County Commission approved a bid from CFS Engineers for more than 300 bridge inspections in the county.
The bid from CFS was not the lowest bid at $19,500. It was one of the most detailed. On the advice of Road and Bridge Superintendent Randy Crawford, and taking in account CFS’s record for thorough testing on bridges, the Commission decided to go with CFS instead of Elite Engineering Service at $17,405.
“They’ve been very helpful, very detailed,” Crawford said of CFS. “If I was to pick, that would be who I would go with.”
They county also received bids from Schwab Eaton for $21,000 and BG Consultants for $115,200.
“I think that’s why they may not do this type of thing very often,” Commission Chairman Dan Holub said of the high bid from B&G.
The commission also accepted a bid from Hett Construction for concrete work around the courthouse, annex building, and new jail. The bid was for $7,500. The commission added a provision requiring Hett to halt work during a courthouse roofing project.
The county received bids from Flory Roofing of Halstead and Roofing Services Unlimited for the roofing project but wanted a clarification on the services provided.
“I don’t have doubts about either company, I just want to make it a fair bid,” Commissioner Roger Fleming said.
In other business:
- The commission approved Crawford to advertise for a full-time position with the Road and Bridge Department because of part-time summer help leaving. “I just want to get the numbers even for a culvert crew,” Crawford said.
- The commission approved an audit from Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk, and Loyd. Jan Nolde took time to explain the deficiencies the county encountered.
- A pay raise was approved for Park and Lake employee Gerald Bender from $1,785 to $1,841 per month.
- A maintenance agreement with TBS Communications Inc. was approved after the Marion radio repeater was added to the contract discussed last week. The contract to repair all county radio repeaters is for $14,640.